Set goals

Most problems we face in life have fairly simple solutions. Think about it. When you see a problem area in your life you usually already know how to deal with it, or could easily find out. You don't need a complex answer. Losing weight for example, is simple. Almost everyone knows the formula. Eat less and exercise more. But if you've ever tried this you know it's not easy. Simple and easy are not the same thing. Simple means easily understood, not easily done. In tackling our problems, waiting to act until inspiration and motivation strikes rarely works. Therefore, the truly important question becomes 'how do we help ourselves do what we know would be good for us?'

Knowing what the problem is, and what you want to change, is an important first step. The second piece of the puzzle is to develop a plan that will motivate you towards action by outlining achievable goals and identifying rewards for meeting those goals. Inspirational speaker Jamie Lee Valentine insists that goal-setting is the single most important action that a person can take toward the attainment of their aspirations and dreams. A well-planned series of goals will give focus and order to your endeavors. They will help you attain greater discipline in managing areas of life that cause you stress. This, in turn, builds your resilience in a problem area and inspires you on to take further positive action.

Look back at the lists you started at the beginning of this series. What are some of the major underlying factors feeding into the frustration and stress around your personal pressure points? Is spending long hours commuting driving you to distraction? Is not getting enough sleep making you irritable? Does procrastination mean you're always rushing to get work done before deadlines? Do you feel stuck in a dead-end job? Pick one important area and decide what you want. Your overall goal might be to not be as tired. Then, decide upon a plan of action and set mini-goals, such as making sure you get to bed by 11pm four nights a week. Don't set goals you know won't work for you. But feel free to experiment a little with your normal routines. You might surprise yourself, and you have little to lose.

Today, why not ... Pick one issue or situation you've identified as a consistent stressor in your life over the last two months and look at the suggestions that you have been generating about how to help change that situation, or your reaction to it. Set some goals in this area for you to accomplish during this month. Identify ways that you will reward yourself for meeting those goals.

This month, why not ... Monitor your progress in meeting your goals in this area. If you veer off track simply bring yourself back to your targets and keep going. As you get more comfortable with new routines in this area begin to think about one issue or situation you'd like to tackle next month.

"We should all be taught not to wait for inspiration to start a thing. Action always generates inspiration. Inspiration seldom generates action."

~ Frank Tibolt ~

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